Apparatus for binding materials

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for binding at one or more sets of materials includes at least one stitch and a fastener. Each set of materials has a first side which extends along a first axis. The stitch is secured adjacent to the first side with a portion of the stitch extending away from the first side to define an opening between the stitch and the first side. The fastener includes first and second elongated members which each have a pair of opposing ends. One end of the first elongated member is connected to or integrally formed with one end of the second elongated member. The first elongated member is capable of being passed through the opening between the stitch and the set of materials. The other ends of the first and second elongated members are capable of being detachably secured together to bind the sets of materials together. The apparatus may include a cover having a spine extending along a second axis with a front and a back cover piece connected to the spine along the second axis. A securing device secures at least the first elongated member to the spine. The stitch may include a U-shaped section with a base and a pair of legs each having an end. The legs of the stitch extend out from the base of the U-shaped section and are substantially parallel to each other until a first bend is reached where the legs are bent to be substantially perpendicular to the U-shaped section while remaining substantially parallel to each other. The legs continue to extend to a second bend where the legs are bent towards each other so that the legs overlap. Alternatively, the stitch may be a standard U-shaped stitch.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for binding materials, such asbooklets and/or magazines, together within a protective cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Frequently, book binders, magazine subscribers, librarians, teachers,professors, and other collectors would like to secure journals,magazines, booklets, and other types of materials together to preservethem for future use or reference. Unfortunately, very few devices havebeen developed to secure these types of materials together and the fewdevices that do exist have drawbacks.

For example, one type of device for securing sets of materials togetheris illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 999,285 to Williams, U.S. Pat. No.1,280,790 to McMann, and in U.S. Pat. No. 2,194,985 to Price. In thistype of device, two or more openings are punched through each set ofmaterials adjacent the spine of each set of materials. Once the openingsare punched through, a strap is passed through the openings and one endof the strap is secured to the front portion of the cover and the otherend of the strap is secured to the back portion of the cover. Theobvious disadvantage of this device is that the sets of materialstypically do not provide a border along the spine to receive theopenings. As a result, the openings often extend through text, drawings,and/or pictures in the sets of materials. Additionally, since theopening are set off from the normal spine for each set of materials,when opened the straps passing through the openings impose a strong biasto close the sets of materials. This bias makes the materials difficultand cumbersome to use.

Another type of device for securing materials together is shown inBritish Patent No. 4599 to Douglas, U.S. Pat. No. 549,080 toSchoenberger, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,467,479 and 3,485,564 to Holes et al.In this type of device, a strap is passed through staples connected toeach set of materials and then one end of the strap is secured to afront portion of a cover and the other end of the strap is secured to aback portion of the cover. One disadvantage of this type of device isthat a cover with a locking mechanism incorporated in the front and backportions of the cover is required to be able to secure the sets ofmaterial together. These types of covers are typically difficult andcumbersome to use and are expensive to manufacture. Another disadvantagewith this type of device is with the type of stitches used. For example,in Douglas and in Schoenberger the stitches are not well secured to thematerials and may easily dislodge. In Holes et al, the stitches are moresecurely fastened to the materials, but include a mounting tab whichextends well past the spine of the material. As with the mounting holespunched through the materials, the tabs will also cover up text,drawings, and/or photographs located along the edge of the spine andwill bias the materials to close when opened making the device difficultand cumbersome to use.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An apparatus in accordance with the present invention for binding one ormore sets of materials or pages together includes at least one stitchand a fastener. Each set of materials has a first side which extendsalong a first axis. The stitch is secured adjacent to the first sidewith a portion of the stitch extending away from the first side todefine an opening between the stitch and the first side. The fastenerincludes first and second elongated members which each having a pair ofopposing ends. One end of the first elongated member is connected to orintegrally formed with one end of the second elongated member. The firstelongated member is capable of being passed through the opening betweenthe stitch and the set of materials. The other ends of the first andsecond elongated members are capable of being detachably securedtogether to bind the sets of material or pages together. The apparatusmay include a cover having a spine extending along a second axis with afront and a back cover piece connected to the spine along the secondaxis. A securing device secures at least the first elongated member tothe spine. The stitch may include a U-shaped section with a base and apair of legs each having an end. The legs of the stitch extend out fromthe base of the U-shaped section and are substantially parallel to eachother until a first bend is reached where the legs are bent to besubstantially perpendicular to the U-shaped section while remainingsubstantially parallel to each other. The legs continue to extend to asecond bend where the legs are bent towards each other so that the legsoverlap. Alternatively, the stitch may be a standard U-shaped stitch.

With the apparatus, book binders, magazine subscribers, librarians,teachers, professors, and others collectors of materials can easily bindtheir materials together for storage and future reference. The fasteneris very accessible making it easy to add or remove materials. Unlikeprior devices, the apparatus does not require holes to be punchedthrough each set of materials which could result in lost text, drawings,and/or pictures. Additionally, the fastener and/or the stitches will notbias the apparatus closed so the apparatus will remain open wherever itis opened to. Further, a stitch has been designed which will remainsecurely fastened to the set of materials and is capable of beinglocated adjacent to the side of each set of materials so informationnear the side will not be lost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a binding apparatus with a flexiblefastener in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2(a) is a cross-sectional, side view of the binding apparatus shownin FIG. 1 with the fastener in an open position;

FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional, side view of the binding apparatus shownin FIG. 1 with the fastener in a closed position;

FIG. 3(a) is an enlarged view of a stitch used in the binding apparatus;

FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged view of another stitch used in the bindingapparatus;

FIG. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the stitch taken along lines4(a)--4(a) in FIG. 3(a) attached to a booklet;

FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment for the stitchattached to the booklet;

FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view of another binding apparatus with arigid fastener in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional, side view of the binding apparatus shownin FIG. 5(a) with the rigid fastener in an open position;

FIG. 5(c) is a cross-sectional, side view of the binding apparatus shownin FIG. 5(a) with the rigid fastener in a closed position;

FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of a another embodiment of a fastenerused in the binding apparatus;

FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional side view of the fastener taken alonglines 6(b)--6(b) in FIG. 6(a);

FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a fastenerused in the binding apparatus in an open position;

FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional side view of the fastener shown in FIG.7(a);

FIG. 8(a) is a front view of yet another embodiment of a fastener usedin the binding apparatus in an open position; and

FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional side view of the fastener shown in FIG.8(a) in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A binding apparatus 10 for detachably securing one or more sets ofmaterials M or other items, such as individual pages (not shown),together is illustrated in FIG. 1. Binding apparatus 10 includes afastener 12 which has first and second elongated members 14 and 16 and apair of stitches 18 for each set of materials M. Binding apparatus 10may also include a cover 20 with a spine 22 which extends along an axisA--A and with front and back cover pieces 24 and 26. Binding apparatus10 provides an easy to use and inexpensive apparatus 10 for detachablybinding materials M together.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 1, first and second elongatedmembers 14 and 16 for fastener 12 each have a pair of opposing ends 28,30, 34, and 36. Ends 28 and 30 of first and second elongated members 14and 16 are secured together by a rivet 32. Although a rivet 32 is usedto secure ends 28 and 30 together, other devices to secure ends 28 and30 together could be used, such as stitching or glue or elongatedmembers 14 and 16 could be integrally formed together at ends 28 and 30.Rivet 32 extends through ends 28 and 30 and is secured to spine 22 ofcover 20. Although in this particular embodiment, both elongated members14 and 16 are secured to spine 22, spine 22 may only be secured to oneelongated member 14 or 16, if desired. Additionally, rivet 32 or othersecuring device may be secured anywhere along the length of elongatedmembers 14 and/or 16. Other ends 34 and 36 of first and second elongatedmembers 14 and 16 are capable of being detachably secured together. Inthis particular embodiment, fastener 12 is made from a flexiblematerial, such as velcro® with first elongated member 14 being the hookside of the velcro and second elongated member 16 being the eye side ofthe velcro®, although other types of fasteners 12, such as those shownin FIGS. 5(a-c), 6(a-b), 7(a-b), and 8(a-b) could be used. Since in thisparticular embodiment, first and second elongated members 14 and 16 aremade from velcro®, first and second elongated members 14 and 16 can bedetachably secured together along their entire length. Fastener 12 withfirst and second elongated members 14 and 16 is much easier to use andmanufacture than prior devices because members 14 and 16 are easilyaccessible and do not require the incorporation and use of any type ofdifficult and cumbersome locking mechanism in front and back coverpieces 24 and 26. Although fastener 12 is preferably connected to cover20, cover 20 is not necessary to bind sets of materials M together.

Cover 20 for binding apparatus 10 includes spine 22, which extends alongaxis A--A, and front and back cover pieces 24 and 26. In this particularembodiment, front and back cover pieces 24 and 26 are substantiallyrectangular and are connected to opposing sides of spine 22 andsubstantially parallel to axis A-A, although front and back cover pieces24 and 26 could have other shapes, if desired. Preferably, thedimensions of front and back cover pieces 24 and 26 are larger than thedimensions of the sets of material M being bound so that when cover 20is closed sets of materials M are protected. In this particularembodiment, cover 20 is made from a soft material such as plastic,although cover 20 could be made from other more rigid materials, such ascardboard or plastic, as shown in FIGS. 5(a-c). Complicated lockingmechanisms in from and back cover pieces 24 and 26 are unnecessary tobind sets of materials M together.

Referring to FIGS. 3(a-b), enlarged views of stitch 18 used in bindingapparatus 10 are illustrated. As shown in FIG. 3(a), stitch 18 has aU-shaped section 38 with a base 40 and a pair of legs 42 and 44. Legs 42and 44 are substantially parallel to each other and extend out from base40 of U-shaped section 38. At a first bend 46, legs 42 and 44 are bentto be substantially perpendicular to U-shaped section 38 while remainingsubstantially parallel to each other. At a second bend 48, legs 42 and44 are bent towards each other so that legs 42 and 44 overlap, with ends50 and 52 of each leg 42 and 44 adjacent second bends 48. In analternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 3(b), stitch 18 is substantiallythe same as in FIG. 3(a) except that the position of U-shaped section 38is reversed and ends 50 and 52 of legs 42 and 44 extend around secondbend 48. Although stitch 18 with first and second bends 46 and 48 isshown, other types of stitches 18, such as a standard U-shaped stitch 54which only has a second bend 48 where legs 42 and 44 overlap whensecured through set of materials M, as shown in FIG. 5(a-c) may be used.As shown in FIGS. 3(a-b), stitch 18 is located adjacent side S of setsof materials M so that text, drawings, and/or pictures in the materialsM will not be lost. Additionally, locating stitch 18 adjacent to side Sdoes not create any bias which will cause sets of materials M to closewhen opened making apparatus 10 easier to use. Further, stitch 18 isconstructed to remain securely fastened to each set of materials M andwill not dislodge. In this particular embodiment, side S of each set ofmaterials is also the spine for each set of materials, although withstitch 18 each set of materials M does not need a spine to be securedtogether.

Referring to FIGS. 4(a-b), cross-sectional views of stitch 18 attachedto a set of materials M are illustrated. As shown in FIG. 4(a), stitch18 is secured adjacent to spines S of sets of materials M. Stitch 18 ispositioned in each set of materials M so that U-shaped section 38extends away from sides S to define an opening 56 between base 40 ofU-shaped section 38 and sides S. The portion of legs 42 and 44 betweenfirst and second bends 46 and 48 passes through each set of materials M.First bend 46 is adjacent the top of each set of materials M and secondbend 48 is adjacent the bottom of each set of materials M. At the secondbend 48, legs 42 and 44 extend toward each other with one leg 42 and 44on top of the other as shown in FIG. 4(a) or with legs 42 and 44adjacent each other as shown in FIG. 4(b).

Referring back to FIG. 1, opening 56 between base 40 of U-shaped section38 and sides S of each set of materials M is more clearly illustrated.Materials M may be booklets, magazines, or any other collection of pageswhich have a side S and may also be a set of pages stapled together withstitch 18. In this particular embodiment, each set of materials M has apair of stitches 18, although each set of materials M could have onlyone stitch 18 or more than two stitches 18 if desired. Sets of materialsM are stacked so that openings 56 defined by U-shaped sections 38 ofstitches 18 and sides S line up in two columns.

The operation of binding apparatus 10 is illustrated with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2(a-b). As shown in FIG. 1, the two sets of first and secondelongated members 14 and 16 are secured at one end 28 and 30 by rivets32 to spine 22 of cover 20 at two locations. Next, at least one stitch18 is secured to each set of materials M to be bound together. In thisparticular embodiment, a pair of stitches 18 are used for each set ofmaterials M. Once stitches 18 have been secured to a set of materials M,first elongated member 14 is passed through one opening 56 defined bystitches 18 and side S for each set of materials M, as shown in FIGS. 1and 2(a). As shown in FIG. 1, openings 56 defined by stitches 18 andsides S must line up. Once first elongated member 14 has passed throughall of the openings 56 for sets of materials M to be bound together,other end 36 of second elongated member 16 is detachably secured toother end 34 of first elongated member 14 binding the sets of material Mtogether within cover 20, as shown in FIG. 2(b). This process is thenrepeated for the other set of first and second elongated members 14 and16. The width of spine 22 of cover 20 must be the same as or larger thanthe combined width of all of the sides S of each set of materials M tobe bound together.

Referring to FIGS. 5(a-c), an alternative embodiment for bindingapparatus 57 is illustrated. Fastener 58 is made from a rigid material,which in this particular embodiment is metal, although other types ofrigid materials could be used as shown in FIGS. 6(a-b) and 7(a-b). Firstelongated member 62 is a substantially rectangularly-shaped piece whichhas a width and thickness which is smaller than the dimensions ofopening 56 defined between stitch 54 and spine S. In this particularembodiment, first elongated member 62 is a rectangularly shaped piece ofwire, although a solid piece of material could be used to form firstelongated member 62. Second elongated member 64 also is a substantiallyrectangularly-shaped piece and has an engaging lip 66 at other end 68 ofsecond elongated member 64. One end 70 of first elongated member 62 ispivotally connected by a hinge 72 to one end 74 of second elongatedmember 64, although other types of pivotal connections can be used tosecure ends 70 and 74 together. Other end 76 of first elongated member62 is capable of engaging with engaging lip 66 located at other end 68of second elongated member 64 to secure first and second elongatedmembers 62 and 64 together.

Cover 78 includes spine 80 which extends along axis B--B and front andback cover pieces 82 and 84 which are secured to opposing edges of spine80 which are substantially parallel to the axis B--B. In this particularembodiment, cover 78 is made from a rigid material, such as cardboard orplastic. A securing device 86, such as a rivet or glue, is used tosecure second elongated member 64 along the width of spine 80. Thelength of second elongated member 64 is less than or equal to the widthof spine 80.

The operation of binding apparatus 57 illustrated in FIGS. 5(a-c) is thesame as that described for binding apparatus 10 except as describedbelow. As shown in FIG. 5(b), second elongated member 64 is secured by asecuring device 86 to spine 80 of cover 78. Next, at least one stitch 54is secured to each set of materials M to be bound together. Oncestitches 54 have been secured to each set of materials M, firstelongated member 62 is passed through openings 56 defined by stitches 54and sides S for each set of materials M, as shown in FIGS. 5(b). Using arigid material for first elongated member 62, makes it easier to passfirst elongated member 62 through openings 56. As shown in FIG. 5(a),openings 56 defined by stitches 54 and sides S must line up. Once firstelongated member 62 has passed through all of the sets of materials M tobe bound together, then second elongated member 64 is pivotally moved todetachably secure other end 76 of first elongated member 62 underengaging lip 66 at other end 68 of second elongated member 64 to bindsets of material M together within cover 78, as shown in FIG. 5(c).

Referring to FIGS. 6(a-b) and 7(a-b), alternative embodiments forfastener 58 are illustrated. Corresponding elements in FIGS. 6(a-b) and7(a-b), have numeral designations which correspond to those used inFIGS, 5(a-b) and thus will not be described in detail here again. Asshown in FIGS. 6(a-b), fastener 58 may be made entirely from a plastic.As shown in FIGS. 7(a-b), first elongated member 62 may be made frommetal and second elongated member 64 may be made from plastic, althoughthe choice of materials for members 62 and 64 could be reversed. Theoperation of the different embodiments of fastener 58 shown in FIGS.6(a-b) and 7(a-b) is the same as the operation of fastener 58 shown inFIGS. 5(a-b) and thus will not be described again.

Referring to FIGS. 8(a-b), yet another embodiment for fastener 88 isillustrated. First elongated member 90 is integrally formed with secondelongated member 92 at ends 94 and 96. Second elongated member 92 may besecured to spine of a cover if desired, with glue, rivets, or othersecuring means. Other end 98 of second elongated member 92 has anopening 100 with teeth 102 extending into opening 100. Although fiveteeth 102 are shown, fastener 102 can have more or fewer teeth 102 ifdesired. First elongated member 90 has a width which is designed to fitbetween the opening 56 between the side S of a set of materials M and astitch 18. Other end 104 of first elongated member 90 has twelve rows ofopenings 106. Each opening 106 is designed to have dimensions largeenough to receive one tooth 102. Although twelve rows of four openings106 in a row are illustrated, elongated member 90 can have any number ofrows of openings 106 and any number of openings 106 in a row desired.

When end 104 of first elongated member 90 is passed through opening 100,then one row of openings 106 are designed to detachably receive teeth102 and secure ends 98 and 104 together and also securing materials Mtogether as shown in FIG. 8(b). Member 90 is detached from member 92 bydisengaging teeth 102 from openings 106 and then removing member 90 fromopening 100. Fasteners 12 and 58 shown in FIGS. 1, 2(a-b), 5(a-c),6(a-b), 7(a-b), and 8(a-b) are illustrative only and other types offasteners with first and second elongated members could be used ifdesired.

Having thus described the basic concept of the invention, it will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detaileddisclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and isnot limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications willoccur and they are intended to those skilled in the art, though notexpressly stated herein. These modifications, alterations, andimprovements are intended to be suggested hereby, and are within thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limitedonly by the following claims and equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for binding one or more pagestogether, each page having a first side extending along a first axis,said apparatus comprising:at least one stitch secured adjacent to thefirst side with a portion of said stitch extending away from the firstside to define an opening between said stitch and the first side; and afastener having first and second elongated members, said first andsecond elongated members each having a pair of opposing ends, with oneend of said first elongated member connected to one end of said secondelongated member; said first elongated member extending through saidopening between said stitch and the first side, said other ends of saidfirst and second elongated members detachably secured together to bindthe pages together.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising:a cover having a spine extending along a second axis, a frontand a back cover piece connected to opposing sides of said spine; and asecuring device connecting said second elongated member to said spine.3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stitch comprises:aU-shaped section with a base and a pair of legs extending out fromopposing ends of said base, said pair of legs being substantiallyparallel to each other until a first bend where said legs are bent to besubstantially perpendicular to said U-shaped section while remainingsubstantially parallel to each other and extending to a second bendwhere said legs are bent towards each other so that said legs overlap.4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and secondelongated members of said fastener are made from a flexible material. 5.The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said flexible material isvelcro.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first andsecond elongated member of said fastener are made from a rigid material,said one end of said first and second elongated members being pivotallyconnected together and said other end of said second elongated memberdetachably connected under a lip adjacent the other end of said secondelongated member.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidfirst and second elongated members are made from metal.
 8. The apparatusas set forth in claim 6 wherein said first and second elongated membersare made from plastic.
 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 whereinsaid first elongated member is made from metal and said second memberelongated is made from plastic.
 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim1 wherein said first and second elongated members are pivotallyconnected at one end, said other end of said first elongated memberhaving at least one first opening and said other end of said secondelongated member having a second opening with at least one toothextending in to said second opening, wherein said tooth extends in tosaid first opening when said other end of said first elongated member ispassed through said second opening in said second elongated member todetachably connect said other ends of said first and second elongatedmembers together.
 11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 whereinsaid first and second elongated materials are made from plastic.
 12. Anapparatus for binding one or more pages together, each page having afirst side extending along a first axis, said apparatus comprising:atleast one stitch comprising a U-shaped section with a base and a pair oflegs each having an end, said legs extending out from said base of saidU-shaped section and being substantially parallel to each other until afirst bend where said legs are bent to be substantially perpendicular tosaid U-shaped section while remaining substantially parallel to eachother and extending to a second bend where said ends of said legs arebent towards each other, said stitch secured adjacent to the first sidewith at least a portion of said U-shaped section extending away from thefirst side to define an opening between said U-shaped section and thefirst side; a cover having a spine extending along a second axis andfront and back cover pieces, said front and back cover pieces connectedto said spine along said second axis; and a fastener secured to saidspine and capable of being passed through each said opening between saidU-shaped section and the first side to bind the pages together withinsaid cover.
 13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein saidfastener is made from a flexible material.
 14. The apparatus as setforth in claim 12 wherein said fastener is made from a rigid material.15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first and secondelongated member of said fastener are made from a rigid material, saidone end of said first and second elongated members being pivotallyconnected at a hinge and said other end of said second elongated membercapable of being detachably connected under a lip adjacent the other endof said second elongated member.
 16. The apparatus as set forth in claim12 wherein said first and second elongated members are pivotallyconnected at one end, said other end of said first elongated memberhaving at least one first opening and said other end of said secondelongated member having a second opening with at least one toothextending in to said second opening, wherein said tooth extends in tosaid first opening when said other end of said first elongated member ispassed through said second opening in said second elongated member todetachably connect said other ends of said first and second elongatedmembers together.
 17. An apparatus for binding one or more pagestogether, each page having a first side extending along a first axis,said apparatus comprising:at least one stitch comprising a U-shapedsection with a base and a pair of legs each having an end, said legsextending out from said base of said U-shaped section and beingsubstantially parallel to each other until a first bend where said legsare bent to be substantially perpendicular to said U-shaped sectionwhile remaining substantially parallel to each other and extending to asecond bend where said legs are bent towards each other, said stitchsecured adjacent to the first side with at least a portion of said legsadjacent said second bend extending away from the first side to definean opening between said legs and the first side; a cover having a spineextending along a second axis and front and back cover pieces, saidfront and back cover pieces connected to said spine along said secondaxis; and a fastener secured to said spine and capable of being passedthrough each said opening between said legs adjacent said second bendand the first side to bind the pages together within said cover.
 18. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said fastener is made from aflexible material.
 19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18 whereinsaid fastener is made from a rigid material.
 20. The apparatus as setforth in claim 19 wherein said first and second elongated member of saidfastener are made from a rigid material, said one end of said first andsecond elongated members being pivotally connected at a hinge and saidother end of said second elongated member capable of being detachablyconnected under a lip adjacent the other end of said second elongatedmember.
 21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said firstand second elongated members are pivotally connected at one end, saidother end of said first elongated member having at least one firstopening and said other end of said second elongated member having asecond opening with at least one tooth extending in to said secondopening, wherein said tooth extends in to said first opening when saidother end of said first elongated member is passed through said secondopening in said second elongated member to detachably connect said otherends of said first and second elongated members together.
 22. A stitchfor binding one or more pages together, said stitch comprising aU-shaped section with a base and a pair of legs each having an end, saidlegs extending out from said base of said U-shaped section and beingsubstantially parallel to each other until a first bend where said legsare bent to be substantially perpendicular to said U-shaped sectionwhile remaining substantially parallel to each other and extending to asecond bend where said ends of said legs are bent towards each other.23. The stitch as set forth in claim 22 wherein said ends of said legsoverlap.